Frequently Asked Question
Unfortunately, there isn’t much Seminole State College regarding identity theft here are a few things for reference that you can do should this happen to you.
If your Social Security number (SSN) is compromised, you should first report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at IdentityTheft.gov to receive a personal recovery plan. Next, place a fraud alert or credit freeze on your credit reports with the three major bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion). You should also contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the IRS to report the potential fraud and monitor your credit reports and accounts for any unauthorized activity.
1. Report to the FTC:
Visit IdentityTheft.gov or call the FTC at 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338) to file an identity theft report.
- This site will provide you with a personalized recovery plan and an official FTC identity theft report.
Place a fraud alert:
Contact one of the three major credit bureaus to request a fraud alert on your credit file. This notifies any business checking your credit to verify your identity before issuing credit.
Freeze your credit:
For stronger protection, place a security freeze with all three credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion). This prevents new credit from being opened in your name.
3. Notify Relevant Agencies:
- Social Security Administration (SSA): Contact the SSA to report that your SSN has been compromised.
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS): If your SSN was used to file a fraudulent tax return, you should also notify the IRS.
4. Monitor Your Accounts and Reports:
Check credit reports:
Obtain free copies of your credit reports from all three bureaus to look for any unauthorized activity.
Reach out to any company or agency where you find a fraudulent account was opened or a suspicious transaction occurred.